How a cooperative in Khmelnytsky region supports community development and the local economy.
In 2017, an initiative emerged in the Dunaivtsi community of Khmelnytskyi region that changed the lives of local residents. “Yahidnyi Rai” (Berry Paradise) is not just a cooperative — it’s a powerful example of how people can come together around a shared goal and drive economic development in their region. Together, they created jobs, engaged displaced people in community life, and ensured financial sustainability through berry sales. We decided to talk more about how they got started and how they made it work.
How It All Began
The idea for the cooperative came in 2015, says Mykola Ostrovskyi, the project’s initiator. At the time, the community was facing serious challenges: unemployment, lack of local job opportunities, and migration to cities or abroad. The community didn’t want to stand by and do nothing—they began looking for solutions.
“We knew the situation was difficult and were ready to try anything. That’s when we heard about the idea of forming a cooperative. We went to Western Ukraine to see how it’s done. We visited several farms, but the berry cooperative ‘Faina Polyana’ made the biggest impression. That trip inspired us to start our own service cooperative, one where every member could grow berries on their own land,” says Mykola.
Thanks to the social responsibility of a local agricultural business operating in the area, the community received support in the form of 15,000 raspberry seedlings. In 2017, the Yahidnyi Rai cooperative was officially registered. People didn’t have to invest money, so the risk was low. Everyone grew berries on their own plots, and together, they collected and sold the harvest in batches.
The cooperative operates as a non-profit. All income, minus transportation costs, is distributed back to the members. Eventually, the founders won a competition for a zero-interest loan to buy a delivery vehicle, giving them independence in logistics. The cooperative started to grow step by step, testing new ideas, and finding its own way. At one point, they realized they didn’t need to chase every opportunity, they were happy staying focused on berries, partnering with processors, and steadily working for the good of the community.
Growth and Challenges
The path wasn’t easy. There were seasons when raspberries didn’t bring the expected income or dropped in price. But the team held on, studied the market, attended forums, and learned. And when the situation improved, they were ready with the best conditions for harvesting and selling berries at higher prices. Today, the cooperative works with various partners, supplying berries to companies and individuals alike.
As time went on, the need to expand became clear. Raspberries are seasonal, so they began planting other crops: blackcurrants, sea buckthorn, honeysuckle, and elderberries. This allowed them to extend the season and provide members with work from spring through fall. They’re even planning to grow asparagus, a crop that ripens early and could kick off the season.
“Our goal is for people to have work and income from early spring to late autumn. And we’re achieving it, step by step,” says cooperative chairman Mykhailo Barvinok.
A Social Mission
Today, Yahidnyi Rai is about more than just business. It’s a community of 43 families and over 100 members.
The team actively involves both displaced people and locals in the work. The cooperative not only grows its own berries but also helps others sharing seedlings, tools, and expertise, and helping with sales. One of its key social features is a cooperation model that allows anyone to join in growing crops while the cooperative handles logistics and distribution. This gives people not just temporary income, but a real chance to be part of a sustainable, community-focused process.
A Turning Point: Training and Support
In 2024, the cooperative’s team joined the Social Entrepreneurship School run by the Platform for Social Change. It became a turning point: they developed a deeper understanding of social entrepreneurship and gained a strategic vision for combining business with community impact.
“The training didn’t just change our mindset,” says Mykola Ostrovskyi. “It helped us realize we already are a social enterprise and gave us the tools to keep growing.”
Thanks to the program, Yahidnyi Rai also received a development grant, which they used to purchase a cold storage unit for freezing berries. This grant allowed the cooperative to expand its logistics and reach new markets. Now, they can deliver berries faster and more efficiently, boosting member incomes and creating more jobs. The new equipment will also make their operations more stable and less dependent on seasonal peaks.
Looking Ahead
In the future, Yahidnyi Rai plans to keep growing: expanding its product range, improving logistics, and reaching new markets.
This is a story of real community-driven change, where people don’t wait for perfect conditions, but create them. Their example proves that social entrepreneurship in Ukraine works. And that change starts with something simple: coming together, believing, and taking action.
